Tigers of old out in cold
Gerard Healy | May 02, 2009
THE future of Richmond coach Terry Wallace is known to us all and, barring a miracle, it is only the date of his departure that needs clarifying.
What's been hidden by the focus on Wallace, however, is that the club's biggest names are in the same position, and are fighting to save their own careers.
Nathan Brown (31), Ben Cousins (30), Troy Simmonds (30), Joel Bowden (30), Kane Johnson (31) and even Matthew Richardson (34), all out of contract at season's end, are being evaluated microscopically inside and outside the club and face the same future as Wallace, unless things change dramatically. Even then, there's no guarantee.
One prospective coach, whose name would be high on any short-list, has already confided that if he were given the job, the axe would fall on all of the above players - Richardson included. It would be a controversial move, particularly for Richo, whose commitment, effort - and, importantly, performance - can't be questioned, but it's a formula that has worked before, so no one will be safe.
Related LinksPoll: Should Richo and the old Tigers play beyond this year?
In 1996, Malcolm Blight took swift action when appointed coach of the Crows, axing Tony McGuinness, Andrew Jarman and Chris McDermott, the club's three most decorated players, before he'd even left Melbourne.
There was no phone call, no second chances, no farewell match, just a DCM (don't come Monday) from football manager and Blight's lieutenant, John Reid.
It sparked a furore in Adelaide, with sympathy for the three running high, but no amount of emotion was going to sway Blight. He'd taken the long-term view and would not be persuaded otherwise.
Two flags later there was no need for an explanation.
Blight had worked his magic and while most felt it a harsh way to end the careers of three highly decorated players, there was not one Crows supporter in the land who could remember ever being against the move to sack them.
Success dulls even the most bitter memories of football fans and if the next Richmond coach believes that high-profile senior players are not going to be part of the future, or, in fact, are going to hinder the pathway to success, then Richmond supporters and players should brace themselves. Not all senior players will survive.
In fact most won't, as a severe cleanout is certain.
That's the brutal position the group of senior players find themselves in, and it is why today's Coburg Tigers match will be one of the most important VFL games this year.
Ben Cousins and Troy Simmonds will take the field alongside Trent Cotchin and Andrew Raines, with the injured Nathan Brown a big chance to join them when he recovers from injury.
Not all will be selected in the seniors the next week and, despite the major reputations of the veterans, the first picked will be Cotchin if his tank is ready.
He is the future and the player most likely to have the biggest impact on the club next year, so that leaves the others to fight it out for senior selection.
Bowden, it appears, has already been read the last rites, but his past two games suggest he's pretty keen to stick around and fight for his career.
But the next three months will determine whether it is his last season at Tigerland. He is in front of the others now because he already has a place in the team from which he can launch a survival campaign against the odds.
Cousins finds himself again fighting for his career.
Without the support from Wallace it would already be over, so in the remainder of the season he has to win the battle not only against his hamstring, but, more importantly, the fight to convince the next coach of his worth.
The finals window that was seemingly open for Richmond three months ago was the tiniest factor that persuaded a sceptical board of Cousins' potential value.
Their outlook will have changed, and while no one can dispute recruiting Cousins was a great positive for the club, he will not even register on the next coach's radar if that person has a similar outlook to Blight.
Cousins has some work to do and it will begin in a Coburg jumper today.
Brown has been one of my favourite players of the past decade. To see him cut down by the most savage of leg injuries was a blow to all who love his mastery of the ball.
But, to quote Neil Craig, "the game doesn't care how old you are" or if you're injured, and if Brown can't get himself back to his best this season his career will quickly come to an end.
If a "best of" team was picked from those who have represented Australia against Ireland, Brown would just pip Craig Bradley as the first picked.
Brilliant with the ball against any opposition, under any pressure, it is winning it that has become his challenge in the AFL. Getting that gift back is the key to his longevity.
Simmonds faces a similar battle.
A knee injury in last year's state game robbed him of a follow-up on his outstanding season in 2007 when he was just pipped for All-Australian selection.
He's out of the side and well down on confidence and form.
I suspect he should try to persuade Wallace to give him more game time out of the goalsquare, as in his days at Freo, because they have to get game time into the young ruckmen at Richmond.
As well, another string to Simmonds' bow could help him in the eyes of a prospective coach. That said, rediscovering his form in the ruck is the only way to guarantee another year.
Johnson was a good choice as leader when appointed, and didn't let his team down, in at times difficult circumstances for the club.
This will be his last season and hopefully he gets an opportunity to go out in style on the ground.
Finally, to Richo.
He is a unique case, more Richmond than Punt Rd. Any decision to end his career against his wishes would be explosive, no matter how well it was handled.
He is almost certain to play on if it's his decision, and so he should, given his form.
But under the Blight "scorched earth" policy, and the philosophy of at least one of the prospective candidates, Richo, like all the others, would be gone too, no matter how well he plays.
There will be tough decisions for whoever takes the helm at Richmond next season, but few tougher than this one would face any coach starting afresh at a new club.
Despite the tumultuous start to the season there is still so much of the year to play out, and so much to play for, if you are a senior player on the Richmond list.
Anything less than great form will seal an individual's fate.
It seems ridiculous to even think it at the moment but the Tigers are still capable of playing finals, in what would be a satisfying way for Wallace to end his coaching career.
It's an unlikely outcome, granted, but given the ruthless nature of the game and the stark reality of a certain major cleanout under a new coach, Richmond's season may yet be propelled to an exciting conclusion by a senior group now collectively facing the end.
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